As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway across North America, Somali football fans are celebrating the presence of five players of Somali heritage on football's biggest stage while grappling with the disappointment of referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan's exclusion from the tournament.
Five players of Somali heritage will feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Photo: Handout)
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup opens across North America, Somali football fans around the world are experiencing a mixture of pride and disappointment.
The tournament, the largest in FIFA history, kicks off with unprecedented scale, featuring 48 nations competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Billions of viewers are expected to follow the month-long spectacle, with opening celebrations highlighting football's global appeal and cultural diversity.
For Somalis, however, the start of the World Cup comes under the shadow of the exclusion of referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States despite being selected among FIFA's World Cup officials.
Artan, recently named Africa's Best Referee at the CAF Awards, had been expected to become the first Somali official to referee at a FIFA World Cup. His exclusion has triggered disappointment among Somali football supporters who viewed his appointment as a historic breakthrough for Somalia's sporting community.
Social media reactions from Somali fans ranged from frustration to solidarity, with many describing Artan as a national hero whose achievements have inspired a generation of young referees and footballers.
Yet despite his absence, Somali heritage will still be represented on football's biggest stage through five players competing for different nations.
Among the most recognizable footballers of Somali descent is Qatar forward Akram Afif.
Born in Doha to a Somali father and Yemeni mother, Afif has become one of Asia's elite footballers and the face of modern Qatari football. He played a central role in Qatar's AFC Asian Cup triumphs and remains the team's primary creative force.
Known for his vision, dribbling ability and match-winning performances, Afif enters the World Cup carrying the expectations of a nation seeking to establish itself among football's emerging powers.
For many Somalis, he represents one of the most successful players of Somali heritage ever to compete at the international level.
Another Somali-born player representing Qatar is Yusuf Abdurisag Yusuf.
Born in Somalia on August 6, 1999, Yusuf moved through Qatar's football development system and currently plays as a winger for Qatar Stars League side Al-Wakrah on loan from Al Sadd.
His professional career began with Al Sadd in 2018 before loan spells and permanent moves helped him gain valuable first-team experience. Over recent years, he has emerged as one of several players contributing to Qatar's football development as the Gulf nation continues to strengthen its presence in international competition.
Yusuf's journey from Somalia to international football reflects the diverse pathways through which Somali talent is reaching elite levels of the game. His inclusion in Qatar's World Cup squad provides another source of pride for Somali fans following the tournament.
Tunisia midfielder Anis Ben Slimane represents another remarkable Somali success story.
According to reporting by Hiraan Online, Somalia's oldest news website, Ben Slimane's father is Somali while his mother is Tunisian. Born and raised in Denmark, he developed through Danish football before ultimately choosing to represent Tunisia at senior international level.
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The midfielder has played professionally for Brøndby, Sheffield United and Norwich City, earning a reputation for his technical quality, tactical intelligence and relentless work rate.
His multicultural background reflects the global nature of the Somali diaspora and demonstrates how Somali heritage continues to be represented across different national teams.
Sweden winger Taha Ali has become one of the most recognizable footballers of Somali descent in Scandinavia.
Born in Sweden to Somali parents, Ali worked his way through the Swedish football system before establishing himself as a dynamic attacking player known for pace, creativity and direct running.
His rise has inspired many young Somalis across Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where football has become an important avenue for social mobility and professional achievement.
As Sweden pursues success on the global stage, many Somali supporters will be watching closely to see how Ali performs under the spotlight.
Completing the group is Saudi Arabia midfielder Mukhtar Ali.
Born in Jeddah to Somali parents, Mukhtar developed in Chelsea's famed youth academy in England before forging a professional career that eventually brought him back to Saudi Arabia.
Now playing for Al-Ettifaq, he has become an important figure for the Saudi national team thanks to his composure, positional awareness and ability to control the tempo of matches.
His football journey—from Saudi Arabia to England and back again—illustrates the increasingly international footprint of Somali football talent.
For many Somalis, World Cup 2026 represents a tale of two stories.
One is the disappointment of Omar Artan's exclusion from a tournament where he had earned his place through years of excellence and dedication.
The other is the remarkable visibility of Somali heritage across the competition itself.
From Akram Afif and Yusuf Abdurisag in Qatar's colours, to Anis Ben Slimane with Tunisia, Taha Ali with Sweden and Mukhtar Ali with Saudi Arabia, Somali roots will be present throughout the tournament.
Though Somalia itself is not among the 48 competing nations, these five players ensure that Somali talent remains visible on football's grandest stage.
As the World Cup begins, Somali fans across Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East will follow their journeys with pride—celebrating a global Somali football story that continues to grow despite the setbacks of the moment.
About the Author
Mohamed Farah is a senior editor at Somali Report, based in London, covering geopolitics, trade, business, and security across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
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